Improvement in metallic window-blinds



M. & V. RATHKNECHT.

METALLIC WINDOW-'BLINDS. N0. 177,277. Patented May 9,1876..

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NPETERS, PHOTO-LITHDGRAPNER, WASHINGTON, D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MATHIAS RATHKNEOHT AND VICTOR RATHKNEOHT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN METALLIC WlNDOW-BL|NDS..

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 177.277, dated May 9, 1876; application filed January 15, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, MATHIAS RATH- KNEGH'J. and VICTOR RATHKNEGHT, of Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Metallic Window-Blinds, which is fully described in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a view of the blind, looking from the inside; Fig. 2, a cross-section taken on the line 00 m, Fig. l; and Fig. 3, a view of a single slat, a portion being broken away to show the interior construction.

The object of our invention is to make a metallic frame that will not yield or sag, in

which are fixed adjustable metallic slats, which may be closed and fastened so as to be secure and fire-proof.

The invention consists in the construction of the frame-bars of iron', bent in the form desired for the blind, and supporting-bars of like material, dovetailed and riveted to the former also, in casting the slats around their journals; and, also, in a devicefor fastening athe slats rtwhen closed, all of which will be .hereinafter fully described. I I

The blind-frame A is constructed in the following manner: A piece of bar-iron, a, of suitable size, is bent, as shown in the draw- V ings, in the form desired for the blind, with the exception of the straight side, where the y two blinds come together. A second bar, a, like the first, is bent in a similar manner, but does not extend across the lower end of the blind. This latter bar is placed inside of and at a little distance from the frame. Two straight pieces of bar-iron, b I), connect the free ends of the bar a, to which they are attached by halving and dovetailing them together. In the same way the upper end of the bar a is attached at its upper end to the bars I) b, and at its lower end to the bar a. The cross-bars b b, at the middle and lower end of the frame, connect the bars a a and b b, to which they are fastened, in the manner described above. Metallic plates B, of suitable width and thickness, are placed upon the outfor the frame of the blind. Within this frame are pivoted slats 0 which are in the form ofv ordinary pivoted slats, except that they are metal, and are provided with journals in a special manner. This is accomplished by placing a rod, 0, in the mold for the slat, and pouring the metal around it, so that the journals are permanently attached to the slat and virtually a part of it, as seen in Fig. 3. A metallic bar, D, is provided with the ordinary rings or straps, which are attached to corresponding rings or straps on the slats G, the latter being inserted in the slats in any suitable way, or cast with them. The bars D are turned outward at their lower ends, and provided with the square shoulder cl at the lower end of the bar, and d a little above it. To the middle cross-bars and the lower end of the frame are attached two pieces or straps, E. These pieces are forked attheir outer ends, as seen at e e. The bars D pass between these forks or projections e, which act as guides and supports.

When the slats are to be closed the bars D are forced upward, so as to turn the slatsnm up, and the bar is thrust inward, so as to bring the shoulder 61 of the body of the stop E as seen in the lower portion of Fig. 2. When in this position the slats are securely locked, and cannot be turned until the bar D is pulled outward, so as to disengage the shouldercl from the stop E. The bar may then be pulled down, opening the slats, and the shoulder cl, coming against the stop E, will prevent the bar from falling too low, and thus closing the slats by turning them downward.

The position of the adjusting-bar, stop, and slats, when the latter are open, is shown in the upper portion of Fig. 2. Having thus described our invention, what we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A blind-frame, consisting of the bent bars a a, straight upright bars I), and crossjonrnal'rods 0, around which the slats are east,

consisting of the bar D, linked to the slats,

bars b, fastened together by hztlvingand dose and having an angular shoulder, d, at its tailing; substantially as and for the purpose JOWepend, end afforked strap, E, attached to set forth. the blind frame. l

MATHIAS RATHKNEOHT. VICTOR RATHKNEGHT. Witnesses:

HEINRICH Fl BRUNS, L. A. BUNTING.

2. The cast metallic slats 0, provided with V substantially as described. I W 3.- A- slat adjusting and fastening device, 

